360 degree panning stereo endoscope

ABSTRACT

A panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscope comprising:
         a shaft having an axis;   first and second optical channels extending along the shaft, each of the first and second optical channels having an off-axis direction of view; and   an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i) synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about their respective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first and second optical channels along their respective axes.

REFERENCE TO PENDING PRIOR PATENT APPLICATION

This patent application claims benefit of pending prior U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/622,368, filed Apr. 10, 2012 by YuriKazakevich et al. for 360 DEGREE PANNING STEREO ENDOSCOPE (Attorney'sDocket No. VIKING-8 PROV), which patent application is herebyincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to visualization systems in general, and moreparticularly to stereoscopic rigid endoscopes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically non-stereoscopic rigid endoscopes feature a single opticalpath extending from the distal end of the endoscope to the proximal endof the endoscope. The optical system typically includes, from distal endto proximal end, (i) an objective lens, (ii) one or more optical relays,and (iii) an ocular portion. The optical system defines the field ofview of the endoscope, which typically ranges from about 60° to about120°, depending on the types of medical procedures that the endoscope isdesigned to be used for.

In many circumstances this “instantaneous” field of view is too limitedto allow the full operative field to be simultaneously viewed during themedical procedure. As a result, in order to expand the useful field ofview, many commercially available endoscopes are designed to have anoff-axis direction of view. This off-axis direction of view is achievedby providing a direction-of-view prism in the objective lens portion ofthe optical system. Typically endoscopes have 30, 45 or 70 degreedirection-of-view angles as measured between the direction-of-view axisand the longitudinal axis of the endoscope shaft. Such endoscopes areoffered by Karl Storz, Inc., Stryker, Inc., Olympus, Inc. and othermanufacturers.

With an off-axis direction of view endoscope, the user can rotate theendoscope about the longitudinal axis of its shaft and effectivelyexpand the “instantaneous” field of view by twice the angle of viewvalue while the endoscope rotates (or “pans”) about a full 360 degrees.

In the case of non-stereoscopic endoscopes, the endoscope is typicallyrotatably coupled to a video camera. In this situation, in order toexpand the “instantaneous” field of view, the user simply axiallyrotates the endoscope relative to the coupled video camera, which ismaintained in a relative “up and down” fixed orientation.

However, with rigid stereoscopic endoscopes, there are typically twoparallel optical paths transferring independent optical images to a 3Dvideo camera, where the separate images are received by image sensor(s),converted to electrical signals and further processed in order to bedisplayed on a 3D viewing device, e.g., a 3D monitor, a 3D head-mounteddisplay or the like.

Due to the stereoscopic requirement for two separate optical paths, itis not possible to simply axially rotate the stereo endoscope relativeto the stereo video camera. Thus, for the user to look right, left, upor down, the entire combination of camera and endoscope rotates, causingthe displayed image to also rotate, in much the same manner as if oneheld a photograph in their hands and rotated the entire image. Thissituation causes significant inconvenience for the physician performingthe endoscopic procedure since it becomes difficult to maintain anup-down orientation and goes against common practice developed over theyears for non-stereoscopic endoscopy.

Thus there is a need for a new 360 degree panning stereo endoscope whichmaintains an up-down orientation as the stereo endoscope pans anoperative field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises the provision and use of a new 360degree panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientationas the stereo endoscope pans an operative field.

In one preferred form of the invention, there is provided a panningstereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereoendoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscopecomprising:

a shaft having an axis;

first and second optical channels extending along the shaft, each of thefirst and second optical channels having an off-axis direction of view;and

an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i)synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about theirrespective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first andsecond optical channels along their respective axes.

In another preferred form of the invention, there is provided a methodfor stereoscopically viewing an operative field, the method comprising:

providing a panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-downorientation as the stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panningstereo endoscope comprising:

-   -   a shaft having an axis;    -   first and second optical channels extending along the shaft,        each of the first and second optical channels having an off-axis        direction of view; and    -   an actuating mechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i)        synchronously rotate the first and second optical channels about        their respective axes, and (ii) synchronously, inversely piston        the first and second optical channels along their respective        axes;

positioning the panning stereo endoscope adjacent to an operative field;and

viewing the operative field through the panning stereo endoscope andactuating the actuating mechanism.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully disclosed or rendered obvious by thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, which is to be considered together with the accompanyingdrawings wherein like numbers refer to like parts and further wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a novel 360 degree panning stereoendoscope formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a schematic view showing further details of the proximal endof the stereo endoscope of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 2A-2D are schematic views showing the distal end of the stereoendoscope of FIG. 1 in four different viewing positions;

FIGS. 3-6, 7A-7C and 8 are schematic views showing details of theactuating mechanism of the stereo endoscope shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing an electronic alignment method whichmay be applied to the stereo endoscope shown in FIG. 1 (note that inFIG. 9, the degree of misalignment has been exaggerated somewhat forclarity of understanding).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention comprises the provision and use of a new 360degree panning stereo endoscope. More particularly, the presentinvention provides a novel stereo endoscope which allows the user toview up, down, left or right incrementally, in a 360 degree arc, withoutaltering the up-down orientation of the transmitted 3 dimensional imagewhich is being viewed, e.g., on a viewing device such as a 3D monitor, a3D head-mounted display, etc.

Looking first at FIG. 1, there is shown a stereoscopic endoscope 100which comprises one preferred embodiment of the present invention.Stereoscopic endoscope 100 comprises two sets of identical moveableviewing optics 1 which protrude from the distal end of the shaft 2 ofthe stereo endoscope. These viewing optics 1 may be rotated, andadvanced and retracted relative to one another, by rotating the knurledactuator 3 as will hereinafter be discussed in further detail. Alsoshown in FIG. 1 is the illumination fiber optic input adapter 4 whichextends radially from the main body 5 of stereo endoscope 100.

Looking next at FIG. 1A, the two optical output windows 6 are shown onthe proximal camera coupling interface 7 which is mounted to body 5 ofstereo endoscope 100. Also shown in FIG. 1A is the knurled actuator 3.Rotating knurled actuator 3 causes the viewing optics 1 (which arepreferably in the form of optics tube assemblies) to continuously rotateand piston through a 360 degree panning excursion. This 360 degreepanning excursion may be clockwise or counterclockwise.

FIGS. 2A-2D show the distal end of stereoscopic endoscope 100 in fourdifferent viewing direction positions. More particularly, FIG. 2A showsthe optics tube assemblies 1 in the “down” looking position. The fieldof view of each optics tube assembly 1 is approximately seventy degreesradiating from the oblique faces 8 of optics tube assemblies 1.Illuminating fiber optic bundles 9 are shown above and below optics tubeassemblies 1. FIG. 2B shows optics tube assemblies 1 in the “up” lookingposition. Note how in FIG. 2B, oblique faces 8 of optics tube assemblies1 have turned 180 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2Cshows optics tube assemblies 1 in the “left” looking position. Note howoblique faces 8 of optics tube assemblies 1 have rotated 90 degrees fromthe position shown in FIG. 2A. Note also how optics tube assemblies 1have pistoned (i.e., one optics tube assembly 1 has moved forward andthe other optics tube assembly 1 has moved rearward) from the positionshown in FIG. 2A. FIG. 2D shows optics tube assemblies 1 in the “right”looking position. Note how the oblique faces 8 of optics tube assemblies1 have rotated 90 degrees from the position shown in FIG. 2A. Note alsohow optics tube assemblies 1 have pistoned (i.e., one optics tubeassembly 1 has moved rearward and the other optics tube assembly 1 hasmoved forward from the position shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3 shows a shortened illustration of the distal end of stereoendoscope 100 and the innermost elements of the actuating mechanismcontained within endoscope body 5 (which has been sectioned in thisview). More particularly, two sets of identical optical elements aremounted within tubular elements so as to form the aforementioned opticstube assemblies 1, in a manner similar to that found in single channelrigid endoscopes. These two optics tube assemblies 1 are supportedwithin endoscope body 5 by two alignment decks 10, 11. Two offset spurgears 12, which may be formed integral with, or mounted to, tubularsleeves 13, are fixed to the two optics tube assemblies 1, such thatturning spur gears 12 causes optics tube assemblies 1 to turn. Theangular positions of the two offset spur gears 12 are precisely matchedduring the assembly process, and fixed to optics tube assemblies 1 so asto establish and maintain the relationship of the two fields of view 14provided by the two optics tube assemblies 1. As also seen in FIG. 3,two bearing sleeves 15, each featuring annular grooves, are also fixedto optics tube assemblies 1. Bearing sleeves 15 are fixed to optics tubeassemblies 1 so as to be equidistant from the distal ends of the opticstube assemblies 1.

FIG. 4 shows further elements of the actuating mechanism containedwithin body 5 of stereoscopic endoscope 100. More particularly, theactuating elements contained within body 5 of stereo endoscope 100comprise a ring gear 16 which engages the two spur gears 12. This geartrain (i.e., the two spur gears 12 and ring gear 16) is designed toprovide two revolutions of spur gears 12 to each revolution of ring gear16. Ring gear 16 is secured to a face cam 17. Face cam 17 is contouredto provide one complete proximal-distal reciprocating excursion ofoptical tube assemblies 1 for each complete revolution of theirrespective spur gears 12 as will hereinafter be discussed. In addition,the timing of face cam 17 to the gear train (i.e., to the two spur gears12 and ring gear 16) is such that when the view is “up” (FIG. 2B), or“down” (FIG. 2A), the timing of face cam 17 will be mid-excursion, andoptics tube assemblies 1 will protrude an equal distance from the distalend of the endoscope, as will also hereinafter be discussed. Actuator 3is captive and rotationally sealed within body 5 of stereo endoscope 100with only its knurled outer surface protruding from the interior of body5. Actuator 3, when revolved by the user, rotates the cam-ring gearassembly by way of a gear or timing belt connection 18. In this way,rotation of actuator 3 rotates face cam 17 and ring gear 16, whereby torotate and piston optics tube assemblies 1 as will hereinafter bediscussed.

FIG. 5 shows the internal support and alignment elements for the facecam followers 19, 20 (which are themselves shown in FIG. 6). In FIG. 5,ring gear 16 and face cam 17 have been hidden for the sake of clarity.FIG. 5 shows the inner cam follower alignment and bearing component 21which serves as an inner bearing for the inner cam follower 20 (FIG. 6).Inner cam follower alignment and bearing component 21 comprises atransverse slot 22 (FIG. 5) for holding the inner and outer cam followerelements 19, 20, respectively.

Inner cam follower alignment and bearing component 21 is maintained inposition, with its transverse slot 22 appropriately oriented withinhousing 5, by two double-shouldered stanchion pins 23 (FIG. 5).

FIG. 6 shows inner face cam follower 20 and outer face cam follower 19with their respective points 24 in position on the cam portion 25 offace cam 17. As may be seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, each cam follower 19, 20 hastwo follower points 24, with each follower point 24 being set 180degrees from the other follower point 24 on a given cam follower. As mayalso be seen in FIGS. 7A-7C, the two follower points 24 of one camfollower are offset 90 degrees from the two follower points of the othercam follower. Inner and outer cam followers 19, 20 are configured suchthat their respective alignment tabs 26 (FIGS. 6 and 7) are restrainedwithin the transverse slot 22 of inner cam follower alignment andbearing component 21 such that their respective pairs of follower points24 are maintained 90 degrees from each other. As a result of theforegoing, when the lobes of cam portion 25 of face cam 17 are revolvedone complete rotation, cam followers 19, 20 will each make two completereciprocating movement cycles. More particularly, when face cam 17 isrevolved one complete revolution, cam followers 19, 20 will have been inthe maximum distal position twice and the maximum proximal positiontwice, and each of cam followers 19, 20 will have been aligned,mid-cycle, in the median position twice.

The distal/proximal cam excursion limits correspond to the FIG. 2D(“right”) or FIG. 2C (“left”) viewing directions, respectively. Themedian position of cam followers 19, 20 corresponds to FIG. 2A (“down”)or FIG. 2B (“up”) viewing directions, respectively.

This reciprocal motion of face cam followers 19, 20, and hence opticstube assemblies 1, is desirable so that when looking in the “right” or“left” directions, the tip of one optics tube assembly 1 does notpartially “eclipse” the field of view of the other optics tube assembly1.

FIGS. 7A-7C show further details of inner cam follower 20 and outer camfollower 19. Each of the inner and outer cam followers 20, 19 featuresan alignment tab 26 which rides within the slot 22 of inner cam followeralignment and bearing component 21. In addition, alignment tab 26 ofouter cam follower 19 rides in a slot 28 formed in inner cam follower20. Alignment tabs 26 are each configured with two forks 29 which aredesigned to be captured within the corresponding grooves of bearingsleeves 15 of optics tube assemblies 1. FIGS. 7A-7C also show how eachof the cam followers 19, 20 comprises a pair of follower points 24 whichare disposed 180 degrees from each other.

FIG. 8 shows the complete actuating (rotary/reciprocation) mechanismcontained within endoscope body 5. FIG. 8 also shows two return springs30, 31 which maintain cam followers 19, 20, respectively, in contactwith the lobes of face cam 17. Springs 30, 31 are sized to match theoutside and inside diameters of their respective cam followers 19, 20with sufficient clearances so as not to bind with any surroundingelements during the operating cycle of the stereo endoscope. Inaddition, springs 30, 31 are wound counter to one another for the samereason, i.e., one is left-hand wound and the other is right-hand wound.Springs 30, 31 are constrained in proper compression by alignment deck11 which is fastened to endoscope body 5.

On account of the foregoing, it will be appreciated that rotation ofactuator 3 by the user causes gear or timing belt connection 18 torotate face cam 17. Rotation of face cam 17 causes ring gear 16 to turnspur gears 12, which in turn causes optical tube assemblies 1 to rotate.At the same time, rotation of face cam 17 causes cam followers 19, 20 tomove longitudinally, which in turn causes optics tube assemblies 1 tomove longitudinally. Thus, rotation of actuator 3 causes optics tubeassemblies 1 to simultaneously rotate and piston. Significantly, due tofact that points 24 on cam followers 19, 20 are offset at 90 degreeintervals, optics tube assemblies 1 piston inversely relative to oneanother, i.e., as one optics tube assembly 1 pistons forward, the otheroptics tube assembly 1 pistons rearwardly. Thus it will be seen thatrotation of actuator 3 by the user simultaneously causes optics tubeassemblies 1 to both rotate and piston, with such positioning being ininverse relation, whereby to provide a 360 degree panning stereoendoscope.

Additional Constructions

FIGS. 1-8 show one preferred embodiment of the present invention,wherein stereo endoscope 100 detachably attaches to a 3D video cameravia camera coupling interface 7. However, if desired, stereo endoscope100 may be permanently coupled to, and integrated with, a 3D camera.

Furthermore, FIGS. 1-8 show a construction employing a manually-drivenknurled actuator 3. Alternatively, the same actuation can be effected bya motorized rotation that can be controlled by a push button or sliderswitch disposed at the 3D camera, or on a floor pedal, etc.

In still another form of the invention, electronic alignment methods canbe utilized. More particularly, in stereo endoscopy, the alignmentbetween the right and left channel images is important. Moreparticularly, with stereo endoscopy, the right and left channel imagesmust be aligned vertically, horizontally and rotationally. Since thepresent invention comprises both rotational and axial movement ofindividual optical channels, keeping proper alignment by opto-mechanicalmeans may be challenging. One way to alleviate this issue is to apply anelectronic alignment method. More particularly, such an electronicalignment method may utilize an alignment algorithm which includes thecomparison of left and right images (or parts of the left and rightimages) of a live scene captured by the 3D camera. The left and rightimages are evaluated for misalignment, and then electronically broughtinto alignment by image processing means. See FIG. 9 (note that in FIG.9, the degree of misalignment has been exaggerated somewhat for clarityof understanding). In this respect it should be appreciated that imageprocessing for electronic alignment does not need to be enabled at alltimes during the medical procedure, which could be too computerintensive and impractical. Rather, inasmuch as misalignment is mostlikely to result from the panning action, the electronic alignment canbe electronically coupled to the actuation mechanism and then enabledfor an alignment cycle only after the user changes the direction of viewof the stereo endoscope (i.e., by actuating knurled actuator 3).

Modifications

While the present invention has been described in terms of certainexemplary preferred embodiments, it will be readily understood andappreciated by those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, andthat many additions, deletions and modifications may be made to thepreferred embodiments discussed herein without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

1. A panning stereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation asthe stereo endoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereoendoscope comprising: a shaft having an axis; first and second opticalchannels extending along the shaft, each of the first and second opticalchannels having an off-axis direction of view; and an actuatingmechanism carried by the shaft and adapted to (i) synchronously rotatethe first and second optical channels about their respective axes, and(ii) synchronously, inversely piston the first and second opticalchannels along their respective axes.
 2. A panning stereo endoscopeaccording to claim 1 wherein each of the first and second opticalchannels comprises a direction of view prism, an objective lens, atleast one optical relay and an ocular portion.
 3. A panning stereoendoscope according to claim 2 wherein the direction of view prism, theobjective lens, the at least one optical relay and the ocular portiontogether comprise an optics tube assembly configured to rotate andpiston as a unit. 4.-10. (canceled)
 11. A method for stereoscopicallyviewing an operative field, the method comprising: providing a panningstereo endoscope which maintains an up-down orientation as the stereoendoscope pans an operative field, the panning stereo endoscopecomprising: a shaft having an axis; first and second optical channelsextending along the shaft, each of the first and second optical channelshaving an off-axis direction of view; and an actuating mechanism carriedby the shaft and adapted to (i) synchronously rotate the first andsecond optical channels about their respective axes, and (ii)synchronously, inversely piston the first and second optical channelsalong their respective axes; positioning the panning stereo endoscopeadjacent to an operative field; and viewing the operative field throughthe panning stereo endoscope and actuating the actuating mechanism. 12.A method according to claim 11 wherein each of the first and secondoptical channels comprises a direction of view prism, an objective lens,at least one optical relay and an ocular portion.
 13. A method accordingto claim 12 wherein the direction of view prism, the objective lens, theat least one optical relay and the ocular portion together comprise anoptics tube assembly configured to rotate and piston as a unit. 14.-20.(canceled)